Improvement in drying-frames for lace curtains



. 2Sheets--Sheet1. S. S H D R T.

Drying Frames for Lace-Curtains, &c. No I45,912 Patented Dec. 23,1873.

2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

8. SHORT. Drying Frames for Lace-Curtains, 8w. No, 145,912 Patented Dec. 23,'1873.

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SEMELE SHORT, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN DRYING-FRAMES FOR LACE CURTAINS, &c.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 145,912, dated December 23, 1873; application filed August 15, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SEMELE SHORT, of Oincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio, have invented a new and useful Drying-Frame for Lace Ourtains, Bed-Blankets, &c., of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to a frame composed of four straight bars, united rectangularly, and capable of being adjusted toward or away from one another on the opposing sides, said frame being suspended, by one of its sides, so as to hang in a perpendicular position, and having each side provided with a valance of canvas or strong muslin, to which the washed fabric is pinned or stitched while wet, and maintained on a proper stretch, so that when dry it shall have resumed its proper rectangular shape and original dimensions.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame embodying my invention suspended within a portable standard, and having a piece of goods tacked in position upon it. Fig. 2 is a front view of a form of my frame adapted to be suspended from a beam or ceiling.

My frame consists, essentially, of four straight bars, which may be of wood, and of which two, A and B, are of equal length, and two others, O and D, are of the same or some other equal length. The bars A and B have mortises a, which receive the bars 0 and D, in the manner shown. All the bars are pierced, b, to receive pins E, by which said bars are maintained in any desired rectangular position relatively to one another, according to the form, size, and requirements of the curtain or other piece of goods to be operated upon. To each bar is firmly secured a strip of canvas or muslin, so as to form a valance, F, to which the article to be dried is suitably fastened, as in Fig. 1. This fastening may be by means of pins, or by stitching, or otherwise. From the top edge of upper bar A extend two or more eyes, G, to receive hooks H, from which my frame is hung, so as to maintain a perpendicular position, as represented. The hooks H may depend from the top rail I of a portable trestle or stand, I J J K L, as in Fig. 1, or from a beam or ceiling, as in Fig. 2. Hooks M, which project from the lower edge or bottom bar B, enable the suspension to said bar of weights N whenever the weight of the bar alone is found inadequate, and by hanging a greater weight at the middle of bar, as in Fig. l, the greater contraction of the central portions may be overcome.

The end bars O and D and lower bar B bein g fixed at their proper distance, the washed curtain or other article is pinned to the Valance, and the frame is suspended vertically, as in Fig. 1. The pins of the lower bar being new withdrawn, its weight will act to put and keep the article on its proper stretch, and will gradually sink as the curtain or other article stretches without subjecting any part of the fabric to unequal strain, and without straining too much or too little for the purpose, as may be and is done where it is attempted to regulate the tension by screws or wedges. For blankets and likestout articles the weight of the sinking bar is increased.

It is manifest that both sides of the swinging frame may be provided with valauces, so that two articles may be dried and stretched simultaneously.

I claim as new and of my invention- The drying-frame composed of the vertical bars 0 D, the adjustable mortised bar A a I),

provided with the pins E and suspension-eyes- G, weighted sinking bar B a b, and valances F, in combination with the trestle-frame, composed of uprights J J, horizontal cross-bars I 'K, coupling-hooks L, and suspension-hooks H,

all as herein set forth, for the purpose specifled.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

SEMELE SHORT. Attest:

Gno. I-I. KNIGHT, H. SCIIOONMAKER. 

